Step on board sumptuous Seabourn Ovation

Victoria, Branch Manager at Ponders Travel, Cambridge, and Vicky, Holiday Specialist at Thorpe Travel, enjoyed a taste of luxury when they stepped on board Seabourn Ovation. Embarking at Rouen, they had five sumptuous nights of ultra-luxury cruising, sailing along the south coast of England, arriving back to reality in Dover. Seabourn offer all-inclusive cruising on board their fleet of five intimate ships and aim to create a private yacht-like atmosphere. It is testament to just how gorgeous life onboard is that Vicky and Victoria only disembarked once, despite the ship calling at three ports! Here they share their thoughts about what makes Seabourn special:

‍Victoria: After the journey to Rouen, I couldn’t wait to finally step on board — and the moment the Seabourn Ovation came into view, she looked every bit as elegant as I’d hoped. A beautifully proportioned, mid sized ship carrying just 600 guests at full capacity, she has that perfect balance of space, intimacy, and understated luxury. The exceptional service began the second I crossed the gangway. Warm smiles, genuine welcomes, and that effortless Seabourn hospitality that instantly made me feel at home. A lovely crew member escorted us to our suite, letting us know our cabin host would be along shortly - and they were, arriving with chilled champagne, delicate macarons, and a thoughtful welcome gift to choose from. It set the tone perfectly.

Vicky: Our V2 suite was on Deck 8 and beautifully appointed with a showstopper bathroom featuring full-size bath, separate shower and twin sinks, with complimentary Molton Brown products. The rooms can be made up as twin or double and feature a separate seating area with a double sofa, TV and table for two, where you can have meals served in the suite. Full-sized glass windows opened onto our balcony with two comfy loungers and another table. Seabourn Ovation offers 13 suite categories, all with private verandas for sweeping ocean views. With Seabourn being all inclusive, you can choose a bottle of your choice to be in your cabin on arrival, plus you can top up anything you need at any time, including champagne or caviar – available at any time on request throughout the ship!

Victoria: All dining is included on board and over the five nights of my trip, I made it my mission to try all seven dining venues…  and succeeded!

- The Restaurant (Deck 4): The elegant main dining room, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Contemporary international menus that change daily, beautifully presented dishes, and attentive, polished service.

- Solis: High end Mediterranean cuisine served in a refined, intimate setting. Hugely popular and reservation only. We enjoyed pre dinner cocktails here each evening, accompanied by a pianist and exceptional bar service.

- The Colonnade: Casual by day with open kitchens and buffet style breakfast and lunch, transforming into themed, table service dinners in the evening.

- Sushi: A dedicated Japanese venue serving sashimi, specialty rolls, and bento boxes, with ingredients flown in from Japan. Fresh, delicate, and beautifully executed. The authenticity is what truly stood out here.

- Earth & Ocean at The Patio: Al fresco dining under the stars, with chef prepared dishes and a relaxed, atmospheric setting.

- The Patio: A casual poolside spot for lunch — fresh salad bowls, grilled favourites, and excellent pizza.

- Seabourn Square: The heart of the ship. A stylish lounge offering incredible coffees, pastries, snacks, and gelato throughout the day. A real hub on the ship, a great meeting point and space to get that extra snack that you absolutely didn’t need!

In Suite Dining: Available 24/7, including the option to enjoy a full dinner from The Restaurant served course by course on your veranda — a real treat. I enjoyed this for two breakfasts and a lunch on board… arriving in a timely manner, set up by the suite attendant, a relaxing luxury experience

Vicky: The main pool area in the middle of the ship is beautiful. With soft loungers, lots of space, and an outdoor dining area for breakfast & lunch. There is a sunbathing deck above, and even though the ship was full, there were no lounger wars, despite the glorious sunny weather. The communal space for passengers is fantastic, it never feels full. Seabourn Square is like the hub of the ship - a place where you can sit and read, talk to new friends, play a game of cards, or just watch the world go by with a coffee.  Those needing to catch up on work can do so with free wi-fi - this is a place where you really feel at home.

Victoria: The Retreat on Seabourn Ovation is a true sanctuary - an exclusive, adult-only haven on Deck 12. It offers a serene open air setting with a private central whirlpool, personalised cocktails and 15 luxurious private cabanas. Access is available for an additional fee, but the atmosphere and level of privacy make it feel like a special indulgence. Another on board treat is the Spa – this was a real highlight for me, the staff were very accommodating, and I felt completely relaxed and wonderfully cared for, pampered from start to finish, with that lovely floating feeling afterwards.

Vicky: The evenings are centered around the Observation Bar for cocktails and a pianist, and here you get stunning views whilst sailing into the sunset. The Club is a great little venue for karaoke, which was popular, a spot of dancing to live music, or playing tunes on the jukebox. I went to a couple of evening shows, one with the resident band who were very talented, and one featuring singers & dancers. My favourite was the outside deck entertainment – a resident singer performed with the cruise director, and they were magic together. A couple of early evenings during sail away the band performed outside, getting everyone singing and dancing, it was all really fun & enjoyable.

Victoria: I chose to disembark only once during the voyage, simply because I wanted to make the most of the onboard experience. On the day I did go ashore, the process couldn’t have been smoother. Everything was clearly signposted, the team were on hand at every stage, and the shuttle service ran like clockwork—regular buses waiting just outside the ship, taking guests straight through the port and into town with ease. There was a wide selection of excursions available throughout the sailing, each one well communicated with daily reminders outlining the timings, meeting points and what to expect. It made planning incredibly simple and stress free.

Vicky: Before this trip I hadn’t experienced Seabourn before, but now I now know it to be the height of luxury cruising. Everything is included, the service is impeccable, and the food world class, but mostly it’s the way they make you feel - utterly home & extremely comfortable. Seabourn would be wonderful for anyone with a busy lifestyle who wants to completely relax, knowing that every need is catered to. You really don’t feel like you’re on a cruise, more like a weekend in a country manor house. The ship size is perfect, it doesn’t feel full, you’re not rushed - time just seems to be forgotten on a Seabourn cruise.

Victoria: Overall, my time on Seabourn Ovation genuinely exceeded every expectation. The ship strikes that rare balance of refined luxury and effortless comfort, where nothing feels overstated, yet everything feels considered. From the beautifully appointed suites and exceptional dining to the intuitive service that seems to anticipate your needs before you voice them, the experience feels consistently elevated. Add to that the ease of disembarkation, the quality of the spa and wellness facilities, and indulgent spaces like The Retreat, and it becomes clear why Seabourn has such a loyal following. It’s a ship I would wholeheartedly recommend to clients seeking a truly special, all inclusive luxury experience …one where they can unwind, indulge, and feel genuinely looked after from the moment they step on board.

‍